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Monnaie de Paris, the national mint of France, produces official currency coins, national awards and official medallic items. This mint, like others, produces items for foreign countries and private institutions/individuals. The institution has an excellent museum. As you've discovered, it sells material to collectors directly.

The French government may use different sources for officially presented insignia, generally due to cost or time factors. Thus, private manufacturers may obtain French government contacts to supply awards. Government regulation clearly define insignia format [size, enamel & ribbon color, design details and so on] nonetheless some private firms 'tweak' official patterns.

The flag to the right side of the National Order of Merit reverse center statutory design includes a fringe while the flag on the left does not. Manufacturing variation can affect the fringe appearance.

Further, persons decorated with the Order may prefer to buy 'de luxe' privately made insignia that does not conform to official design strictures, including brilliant set or gold pieces and slightly different detail elements. Private companies happily supply such items.

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To sum up, this medal appears to be a private manufacture. It is not certain whether it would have been awarded by the French government, and it is likely that the recipient would have used it as an alternative.Maybe It's called the company's productThank you again